When people talk about the machine behind Justin Bieber or the person who bought Taylor Swift's masters, they usually focus on the man in the headlines. But for seven years, there was a powerhouse woman standing right next to him. Yael Cohen, commonly known as Scooter Braun's ex-wife, is way more than just a footnote in a music executive's biography.
She's a South African-born entrepreneur who basically revolutionized how millennials talk about cancer. Honestly, if you only know her from the divorce news, you're missing the most interesting parts of her story. She didn't just marry into the limelight; she had her own brand and a massive following long before the 2021 split.
Who is Yael Cohen anyway?
Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Yael isn't your typical "celebrity spouse." She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in political science. That’s not exactly the standard path for someone who ends up in the middle of Hollywood’s elite circles.
But her life changed in 2009. That was the year her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of just sitting back, Yael got aggressive. She founded Fuck Cancer (now often stylized as F*ck Cancer or FCancer). The goal was simple but bold: use blunt language and social media to get young people to care about early detection.
She wasn't just a figurehead. She was the CEO. She was out there giving TEDx talks and being named one of Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business." By the time she met Scooter Braun in 2013, she was already a heavy hitter in the non-profit world.
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The Marriage and the Hollywood Power Couple Era
Scooter and Yael were the ultimate industry power couple. They got married on July 6, 2014, in Whistler, British Columbia. It was a massive event. Justin Bieber sang. Ed Sheeran was there. It looked like a fairytale, and for a long time, it seemingly was.
They had three kids together:
- Jagger Joseph (born 2015)
- Levi Magnus (born 2016)
- Hart Violet (born 2018)
During their marriage, they were deeply involved in philanthropy and politics. They even hosted a fundraiser for Kamala Harris back in 2020. They seemed untouchable. Scooter often credited Yael with keeping him grounded, once saying she gave him the "comfort that I'm enough."
Why Yael Cohen and Scooter Braun actually split
In July 2021, the news broke: they were separating. It was a shock to the system for anyone following them on Instagram, especially since Scooter had just posted a gushing 7-year anniversary tribute days prior.
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The divorce was finalized in September 2022. It wasn't one of those messy, public mud-slinging matches you usually see in the tabloids. They both cited "irreconcilable differences." Basically, life happened. The pandemic reportedly put a strain on many high-profile marriages, and theirs wasn't immune.
The Divorce Settlement Details
Since they had a prenup handled by the famous "Disso Queen" Laura Wasser, the financial side was relatively structured.
- The Payout: Scooter was ordered to pay Yael a $20 million lump sum. This served as a spousal support buyout and property division.
- The House: Yael kept their $30 million family home in Brentwood.
- Child Support: Scooter pays $60,000 a month in child support.
- Assets: Scooter kept the private jet and a massive art collection worth millions, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Basquiat.
They agreed on joint legal and physical custody. By all accounts, they’ve stayed remarkably amicable for the sake of their three children.
Life After Scooter: What is Yael doing now?
If you think Yael Cohen disappeared into a pile of settlement money, you don't know her. She's still very much the activist. She’s continued her work with F*ck Cancer and expanded into other health-focused ventures.
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She also co-founded Motherlucker, a platform for moms to share the "real, raw, and often gross" parts of parenting. She’s leaning into that "authentic" space where people are tired of the polished Instagram aesthetic.
Why her story matters for E-E-A-T
When looking at the legacy of this relationship, it’s important to see the nuance. Yael represents a shift in how we view "wives of" in the industry. She maintained her own board seats, her own charity, and her own voice throughout the marriage.
Expert observers in the philanthropy space, like those at The Globe and Mail, have long noted that Yael was "transforming philanthropy" by making it accessible to a younger generation. Her impact isn't tied to who she was married to; it’s tied to the millions of dollars her organization raised for cancer research and support.
Key Takeaways and Insights
- Don't ignore the prenup: The smoothness of their divorce proves that having a clear legal agreement (even if it feels unromantic) saves years of public heartache.
- Brand independence is vital: Because Yael had her own established career and non-profit before the marriage, her identity didn't crumble when the relationship did.
- Amicable co-parenting is possible: Despite the high stakes and massive wealth, they’ve managed to keep their kids out of the headlines.
If you’re following this story for more than just gossip, the real "actionable" lesson here is about personal branding and resilience. Whether you're an entrepreneur or just navigating your own life, keeping your own "North Star" (like Yael's commitment to health advocacy) ensures that no matter what happens in your personal life, your professional and personal value remains intact.
To keep up with her current work, you can follow the F*ck Cancer organization’s updates or check out her latest ventures in the health-tech space, where she continues to advocate for patient-first care and early medical intervention.